In recognition of the
bicentenary of Australia,
a commemorative Test match was played at Sydney. The "Ashes", heavily
insured, and specially packed by the British
Museum, were flown to Australia in
the keeping of a member of Prince Charles's household - the first time that
the urn has left Lord's since being presented on Ivo Bligh's death sixty
years before - and were displayed at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, the
Ashes as a symbol of the contest between the two countries were not at stake
in the Test match.

Chris Broad having
scored another century in Australia
(his fourth in six Test matches) angrily swatted down the stumps when he was
out and was fined £500 by the tour management.

England returned to
New Zealand from Melbourne for a three-match series but, without star players
Botham, Gower, Gooch, Lamb and now Foster who had gone home injured, lacked
enough power to defeat New Zealand. All three Tests were drawn and the
one-day international series was shared 2-2

Paul
Jarvis (who had flown home early from the Pakistan
tour with a blood circulation problem in his right index finger) and Neil
Foster (who inflamed his right knee on the Pakistan tour) had to pass
fitness tests before this tour.

The team assembled at a Heathrow
Airport hotel on 12 January and flew
to Christchurch, New Zealand, next day arriving on
15 January 1988.

England landed
in Sydney on 26 January for the Bicentenniel
Test and the one-day international at Melbourne
and flew back to resume the New
Zealand tour on 5 February.